By George Odok
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi, has given assurance that her tenure would increase the Internally Generated Revenue of the university and also witness rapid infrastructure development.

Obi gave the assurance during a one-day workshop organised by the Centre for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE) for expanded management staff of the university.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the workshop is “Re-engineering the University System for Effective Service Delivery”.

The VC told the management staff that her vision was to reposition the university in line with global best practices through research, knowledge production and transfer.

According to the VC, her mission was to produce quality graduates that can compete favourably in the global stage.

“University of Calabar with over 30,000 students’ population needs more lecture halls, auditorium, laboratories, studios and theatres for academic activities.

“Sometimes, lecturers clash during lecture time because of spaces. We will improve on this including micro teaching laboratories, research equipment, multimedia projects, central computer laboratories, ICT facilities among others.

“We are also going to improve the quality of university research, increase workshops on research proposal writings, set up a central laboratory for competitive research, especially in the sciences.

“Also, we are going to increase electricity period on campus, street lighting and lecture rooms at night through the introduction of inverters in central places,” she said.

On ways to increase the IGR of the institution, the VC said she would market the Consultancy Unit of the institution and also establish viable commercial ventures.

“We are going to reposition the agric faculty or outsource some commercial aspect for efficiency and the faculty of science will be encouraged to set up viable business ventures.

“The Centre for Educational Services would also be repositioned for better accountability with a view to convert innovations for commercial products,” she said.

Obi also said that the institution under her leadership would review the university programme and curriculum along market demands, including programmes of graduate school.

She promised to be accountable and accessible to all labour unions, staff and students through regular interactions and deliberations.

The VC urged Deans of faculties to recommend hardworking staff for reward and those suitable for punishment as well.

Earlier, the Director of CTLE, Prof. Monday Joshua, said that the workshop was organised to guide the management staff on implementation of the VC’s mission and vision in the new dispensation.

Prof. Eka Braide, former VC of Cross River University of Technology, Calabar and Federal University of Lafia, urged Obi to enforce discipline on teaching and learning.

Braide, who participated in the workshop virtually, encouraged the University of Calabar to work tirelessly in eradicating cultism and examination malpractices.

“The University of Calabar should also review its curriculum to meet the present day realities,” she said.

NAN reports that those in attendance include former Vice Chancellor of University of Uyo, Prof. Akanaren Essien, Deputy Vice Chancellors, Registrar of the University, Deans of Faculty, Heads of Department and Directors of Boards.

By Ariwodola Idowu
The State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in Ekiti and the Universal Learning Solutions (ULS), are partnering to train 2,625 primary school teachers on specialist phonics literacy teaching practices for primary school teachers.

The initiative, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports, is being held in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission.

NAN also reports that the training being organised under the Teachers Professional Development Programme would last two weeks.

Mr Gary Foxcroft, the Chief Executive Officer of ULS, a not-for-profit organisation, who spoke on the sidelines of the programme, described the Jolly Phonics Literacy Project in Ekiti as a specialised training programme for teachers of pupils in elementary classes.

He said the exercise, which began on Jan. 25, would cover all the three senatorial districts of the state.

” This training is planned to equip teachers with the expertise and tools required to enable them to transform Primary 1, 2 & 3 pupils in government schools across the state,” he said.

According to him, Jolly Phonics is an interactive teaching tool that uses the synthetic phonics literacy teaching methodology.

He explained that synthetic phonics methodology had been recommended and mandated by many governments around the world because of its immese capacity to provide children with the skills needed to read and write.

” The Ekiti State Jolly Phonics is a fantastic opportunity for all children in Ekiti State to benefit from the opportunity to learn to read and write.

” The project will therefore help increase equity and equal opportunities for all children in Ekiti State,” he said.

He commended UBEC for its continued support in the adoption of Jolly Phonics in government schools across Nigeria.

“UBEC has really recognised the tremendous impact that Jolly Phonics has been having on literacy levels in Nigeria’s government schools and has taken it on as one of its flagship programmes.

” This has helped us to initiate new projects across the country. Jolly Phonics is now being taught in all 36 states and FCT.

” This is truly amazing and will help to improve the reading and writing abilities of millions of children in the years ahead,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr Patrick Uzu, Nigeria Country Director at ULS, commended the exceptional support and partnership offered by Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board.

“We are delighted to be partnering with SUBEB in Ekiti to train, resource and mentor its teachers in Jolly Phonics.

” This project gives the children of Ekiti State a brighter future.

” Our sincere appreciation goes to the Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Prof. Femi Akinwumi, and his team who have helped in overseeing the training very professionally,” he said.

The Project Manager of ULS in Ekiti, Adeoye Adeyemi, urged participants to replicate the knowledge gained during the training in their various schools.

He also advised the participants to ensure that the knowledge acquired had the desired impact on the pupils through systematic and demonstrable teaching methods.